Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-05-20
The Bill Approved.


Governor Beaver has signed the
new license law passed by the Legis-
lature. 1t goes into effect on the
first OF July next. We have not
seen the law in full but presume that
all licenses granted under old laws
will continue for the year for which
they were granted.
How this new law will work re-
mains to be tested. One decidedly
good feature in it is the requiring all
licenses to come from or through the
Courts. This will require licenses to
be obtained in Pittsburg and Phila-
delphia in the same way as in
other parts Of the State. Heretofore
those cities obtained them from Off
cials other than the Courts. Now
all will be on the same level, with
the very probable effect of fewer Ii
censes being granted to those cities,
which to them should be great re-
form. -
The new law contains nearly the
same provision and words of the law
of 1861 as to the manner OF obtaining
licenses from the Courts and the dis
cretionary powers Of the Courts over
applications. 1t says that the Court
"shall hear petitions from residents
Of the ward, borough or township,
in addition to that OF the applicant,i1
favor of and remonstrance against the
application for such license, and in all
cases shall refuse the same whenever,
in the opinion of the said Court, hav-
ing due regard to the number and
character Of the petitioners for and
against such application, such license
is not necessary for the accommoda-
tion of the public and the entertain
ment of strangers or travelers,or that
the applicant or applicants is or are
not fit persons to whom such license
should be granted"
This continues power in the Courts
to refuse "such license" if they be-
lieve the same not necessary for the
public. And while it does not seem
to cure or provide for the defect
claimed to exist in the old law, as to
the necessity of q house as a house
for public accommodation, yet it
leaves the question to be determined
by the will and wishes of the people
in the locality affected. Therefore if
"due regard" is given to the number
and character of petitioners against,
and particularly when they exceed
those for, then there should be no IL
cense granted in that place or in that
case.
The new law is viewed in different
lights in different places and by diff
ferent interests. The following is the
view the State Liquor League people
seem to take of it, which if true
would indicate that the new law is
going TO do some good in some places
at least:
READING, May 12.-It is under
stood that the State Liquor League,
whose headquarters are in this city,
will test the High License bill in the
courts at the first opportunity. Sec
retary Benjamin Fleishman said to-
day: 1--WE claim that the bill is clear.
" unconstitutional. There are in il
several important points of special
legislation. One of them in particu-
lar is the section which allows the
mercantile appraisers in Philadelphia
to collect $3.50 from every license
applicant. 1t is the most unjust high
license law ever passed by any Leg
islature, and is oppressive to the poor
people,"
Mr.. Fleishman declares that of the
200 saloons in Reading not more
than fifty will be able to pay the Ii
cense. The Liquor League Commit
tee will now use its efforts to have
the Legislature pass the Municipal
bill. This makes Reading fourth
class city, for which only $500 license
is asked. Interviews with saloon
men all over. the city to-day indicate
that large number of dealers will be
driven out of business. 1t will be
utterly impossible for the majority oi
them to pay the high
rate, and there is great CONSERVATION
among them in consequence.